Chicago is now home to the Renewable Energy Training Field, a one-of-a-kind facility to train electricians and support electrical contractors in smart grid renewable energy applications.
The Renewable Energy Training Field was solely funded and created by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) of Chicago and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134. NECA Chicago and IBEW Local #134 came together to build this facility on the grounds of the IBEW/NECA Technical Institute (IN-TECH), in Alsip, Illinois a southwestern Chicago suburb.
Together, the two will prepare electricians across the Chicago metropolitan area to meet the fast-growing demand for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential applications of solar and wind.
Celebration and grand opening of the field will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16, beginning with presentations from industry leaders and ribbon cutting at 2 p.m.
David Witz, president of the Electrical Contractors Association of Chicago, said the Renewable Energy Training Field is the result of a long standing partnership between labor and management to meet the future demand for renewable energy that is coming like a freight train.
“We are doing what we can in the electrical industry to decrease dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. We’re excited to celebrate our grand opening and to show the world what we’re doing,” he said.
The Renewable Energy Training Field will offer a dynamic approach to quickly respond to the training required for emerging energy technology well into the future.
The Renewable Energy Training Field is unique in that there will be training and simulations in many different electrical and renewable energy processes with hands-on experience. For example, a student will be will be able to remove, cut, re-weld, and reinstall solar panels or make adjustments to a wind generator based on given site requirements.
Students will learn battery storage techniques and energy transfer systems that will help customers shave peak energy costs, power systems, and potentially sell unused energy back to the local utility. It will also be a center for research and development where an electrical contractor can engineer and demonstrate a client site application. In this way, the contractor can solve a site issue while students receive real world training and a client’s needs are met cost effectively.
